An 18th century painting that was stolen by the Nazis from a Dutch Jewish art dealer and disappeared for decades has been spotted in an online real estate listing in Argentina.
The Dutch newspaper AD reports “Portrait of a Lady” by the Italian painter Vittore Ghislandi was part of the collection looted from Jacques Goudstikker during World War II. The painting of the Contessa Colleoni was not recovered after the war and is on both an international list of lost art and the official Dutch government’s list of Nazi-looted artworks.
Recently, the painting was featured prominently as part of the interior of a home listed for sale in Argentina. The home’s owner is the daughter of Friedrich Kadgien, who served as financial adviser to the top Nazi official Hermann Göring. Kadgien escaped to Argentina after World War II and died there.
AD consulted with art experts who believe the painting is authentic. An heir of Jaques Goudstikker, Marei von Saher, told AD she is planning to begin legal action to recover the painting.
“My search for the artworks owned by my father-in-law Jacques Goudstikker started at the end of the 90s and I won’t give up,” said the 81-year-old von Saher. “My family aims to bring back every single artwork robbed from Jacques’ collection and restore his legacy.”
The current possessor of the painting refused to engage in any discussion of the work, answering a response from the AD reporters, “I don’t know what information you want from me and I don’t know what painting you’re talking about.” When pressed further with written questions, she replied, “Sorry, I’m too busy to answer them at the moment.”
Photo: The Argentine real estate listing featuring the painting “Portrait of a Lady” that was stolen by the Nazis during World War II. Photo courtesy Robles Casas & Campos.
I suppose she will find time to respond to
the action that will follow from the rightful
owner’s attorney!!
It’s bad enough that this painting was stolen from the owner who probably died in a consentration camp but to not give it back is worse. How dare that woman. Fight like hell to get it back. Good luck
Her reluctance to cooperate seems to indicate she knows it was stolen to begin with.
The ownership of this painting at one time was non-disputable. If the current owner inherited it from her German father does she have any evidence that it was bought legitimately? Probably not. Could her father have bought it on the black market or was given it in lieu of some form of payments from the Nazi regime. Possibly, but neither are legitimate in post WWII. The trail of possession would be interesting albeit very dark from the atrocities of the Nazi government and its followers. The files of stolen antiquities are usually very accurate. There are many collector items that are in the possession of people all around the world from illegal smuggling that occurred 25-125 years ago. The Argentine government will probably and hopefully not shield her from the rightful owners gaining back their family property. She should graciously return it now as a family gesture of as a form of sorrowfulness and repentance from their past. We’re not sure, or at least I’m not sure, what role in the Nazi regime he played but it’s hard to believe that he would’ve been in such a high up position if he wasn’t a true believer in their evil mentality and sickening behavior. Most of the world is against her keeping possession of this painting. The family and many governments including the UN know where it is and now it’s just a matter of time that it will be rightfully recovered. I hope WRE news follows this story to its end.
As an Argentinian raised in this country I am appalled at this woman.and to think that Argentina has been complacent in hiding these monsters n their families is beyond o pare. Shame